Yes, DisplayPort 1.2 and DisplayPort 1.4 cables are different in terms of the performance they support, but the physical connectors and the cables themselves look very similar. The primary differences between DisplayPort 1.2 and DisplayPort 1.4 lie in their data transfer rates and the resolutions/refresh rates they can handle. Here's a detailed comparison:

1. Bandwidth

a. DisplayPort 1.2:

Maximum bandwidth of 17.28 Gbps.

Supports 4K (3840x2160) at 60Hz, or 1440p (2560x1440) at higher refresh rates (up to 144Hz).

b. DisplayPort 1.4:

Increased bandwidth of 25.92 Gbps, allowing it to handle higher resolutions and refresh rates than 1.2.

Supports 8K (7680x4320) at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz with high color depth (HDR10).

It also supports higher color depths, such as 10-bit color and higher chroma subsampling (e.g., 4:4:4).

2. Resolution and Refresh Rate Support

a. DisplayPort 1.2:

Supports 4K at 60Hz or 2560x1440 (144Hz).

Can handle up to 1 display at 4K or multiple monitors in lower resolutions (with MST hubs).

b. DisplayPort 1.4:

Supports 8K at 60Hz, or 4K at 120Hz (with HDR).

Supports high refresh rates at high resolutions, like 144Hz at 1440p or 240Hz at 1080p.

With DSC (Display Stream Compression), 1.4 can support 8K at 120Hz or 4K at 240Hz with minimal compression.

3. Support for High Dynamic Range (HDR)

DisplayPort 1.2: Limited HDR support. It can carry HDR metadata, but it doesn’t have the full bandwidth needed for some advanced HDR formats.

DisplayPort 1.4: Full HDR support with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), and can display higher dynamic range at higher resolutions and color depths.

4. Compression:

DisplayPort 1.2: Does not support compression. If you want to push high bandwidth, you'll hit limitations at high resolutions and refresh rates.

DisplayPort 1.4: Includes Display Stream Compression (DSC), which allows for high-resolutions (8K) at high refresh rates (120Hz), with minimal visual degradation. It allows for much greater flexibility in handling high-performance displays without sacrificing visual quality.

5. Backward Compatibility

Both DisplayPort 1.2 and DisplayPort 1.4 are backward compatible with each other, as well as with older versions of DisplayPort (e.g., 1.1). This means you can use a DisplayPort 1.4 cable with a DisplayPort 1.2 device, but it will function at the lower 1.2 specs (lower bandwidth and resolution/refresh rate support).

6. Cable Differences

While the physical connectors (standard DisplayPort) are the same, a DisplayPort 1.4 cable may be labeled as high-speed, and it may be certified for higher bandwidth (e.g., 32.4 Gbps for 1.4) to handle the higher resolutions and refresh rates.

A DisplayPort 1.2 cable will still work for DisplayPort 1.4 devices, but you won't get the full performance benefits of 1.4, especially if you are pushing higher resolutions or refresh rates.

7. Cost and Availability

DisplayPort 1.4 cables may cost slightly more, due to the higher bandwidth capability and the potential need for higher-quality shielding to prevent signal degradation at high data rates.

However, in most cases, DisplayPort 1.2 and DisplayPort 1.4 cables look similar in terms of form factor, and you’ll likely see them bundled under general "DisplayPort cables" in stores, so always check the version for specific support.

Summary of Differences:

Feature	DisplayPort 1.2	DisplayPort 1.4
Maximum Bandwidth	17.28 Gbps	25.92 Gbps
Max Resolution and Refresh Rate	4K @ 60Hz, 1440p @ 144Hz	8K @ 60Hz, 4K @ 120Hz (with HDR)
HDR Support	Limited	Full HDR (HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG)
Compression	No	Display Stream Compression (DSC) supported
Ideal Use	4K gaming, general high-res displays	8K gaming, high-res multi-monitor setups
Backward Compatibility	Yes	Yes

Which One to Choose?

For typical 4K gaming or content creation at 60Hz or 120Hz, DisplayPort 1.2 is more than sufficient and generally less expensive.

For 8K displays, high refresh rates (120Hz+) at 4K, or for future-proofing your setup (for high-end gaming, video editing, or professional displays), DisplayPort 1.4 is the better choice.

If you're planning to take advantage of 8K, high refresh rates, or HDR, DisplayPort 1.4 will offer significant benefits over 1.2. However, for most users, DisplayPort 1.2 still offers great value for 4K and 144Hz gaming.